Oracle Delay Sparks Nuclear Stock Selloff: Wall Street Unplugs

Core Viewpoint - The nuclear energy sector is experiencing a downturn due to significant delays in Oracle's AI infrastructure plans, impacting related companies like Oklo, NuScale Power, and Nano Nuclear Energy [1][5]. Group 1: Oracle's Infrastructure Delays - Oracle has postponed the delivery of critical data centers due to shortages in skilled labor and essential materials, raising concerns about its mounting debt and massive AI spending [2][3]. - Blue Owl Capital has opted not to support a $10 billion deal for Oracle's planned data center for OpenAI, indicating a lack of financial backing for the project [3]. Group 2: Impact on Nuclear Energy Stocks - Stocks of pre-revenue companies like Oklo and Nano Nuclear were previously trading at high valuations based on the expectation of imminent power purchase agreements, but are now declining as investors reassess the timeline for data center construction [5]. - The narrative that hyperscalers like Oracle and Microsoft are in urgent need of advanced nuclear reactors to power their data centers has been challenged by the delays, leading to a reevaluation of the "AI energy trade" [4][6]. Group 3: Future Outlook - While the nuclear renaissance is anticipated, it is now clear that its arrival will be dictated by construction schedules rather than rapid software updates, suggesting a longer timeline for the sector's growth [6].